Why do you like writing?
Ila Golden: I love the joy and pleasure a good story can bring to a person and it makes me feel good when it’s my stories which has brought them that joy. I love writing because I am a storyteller I guess lol.

When did you start writing and why?
Ila Golden: I guess this question has two answers. I was eight or nine the first time I put pen to paper outside of school to write a story of my own for the pure pleasure of it. But since the time I was five I was already telling stories. In fact I used to tell my little brother stories in the car on the way to school by his demand lol.

How long have you been writing?
Ila Golden: On and off from the time I was 8 or 9. But it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I became much more serious about it. So I guess you could say I’ve only been writing properly for the last five years.

What is the best book you have ever read?
Ila Golden: That’s a hard one. I like most of the books I’ve read, if I don’t like it I generally stop reading it long before the end. Um... I guess the book I’ve read most over the years and still read at least once every year is The One Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith. I don’t know what it is about the book which keeps me going back to it again and again. I just love it.

Who is your favorite author?
Ila Golden: I don’t really have a favourite author. I tend to drift around books a lot so I end up reading a variety of things from different authors. I am pretty big on the whole manga thing at the moment, but still no favourites lol.

What is the best story you have ever written?
Ila Golden: Best is another way of saying what’s your favourite, right? Or at least that’s how I read it. But I don’t have a favourite or a best or whatever. Each thing I write a new story it captivates me during the whole time I spend writing it. And then when I go back to it for editing or whatever I rediscover the story like it’s my new baby and not something I wrote a while ago. Don’t get me wrong I’m not precious about my work, there’s always room for improvement and I’m constantly improving and growing as a writer, I might one day have a best/favourite story of my own, but right now? They’re all the best for different reasons, I couldn’t pick just one and be happy with it. lol.

What is some advice you would give new writers?
Ila Golden: Advice to new writers, huh? Okay I guess these are the most important things I’d want to tell a new writer. 1. Always remember the first reader of the story you’re writing is you, so if you’re not enjoying it why should anyone else. 2. Always listen to your characters, they know the story better than you do and if they think you’re doing something wrong they’ll let you know. And most importantly of all 3. Always be yourself and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Only you know who you are as a writer or if you don’t yet you will soon enough so just go with it and have fun. ^_^